A growing tide of concern has drawn activists and professionals into the ongoing discussion surrounding the delicate balance between assisting survivors and defending the rights of the accused in light of a recent surge in reported “false rape accusations,” particularly the recently concluded case of Benjamin Mendy, a footballer who was accused of rape by some women.
As the number of false accusations continues to rise, experts and advocates are calling for a multifaceted approach to address the problem while ensuring justice for both genuine survivors and those facing false accusations.
Mendy is not the only recent, well-known case. Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, a Nigerian medical doctor based in the United Kingdom, was accused of rape in 2020 by his former girlfriend, Bolanle Aseyan. After a three-year legal battle, Dr. Ogunsanya was cleared of Aseyan’s allegations. It appears that the list is growing.
However, the recent increase in cases appears to shed light on the issue’s complexities, prompting a critical examination of existing procedures and social responses. Activists from a variety of backgrounds, including legal professionals and social justice advocates, have expressed concern about the potential harm caused by these unfounded allegations.
A chorus of voices is now calling for legal reforms to ensure that the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is upheld and that due process is meticulously followed in every case. At the same time, they emphasize the importance of providing a supportive environment for survivors who bravely come forward to share their experiences.
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Some prominent activists in the #MeToo movement recognize the importance of validating and believing survivors, but emphasize the need for a balanced approach. They argue that the fight for justice should not inadvertently result in the dismissal of credible claims or the unjust persecution of innocent people. Some have expressed skepticism that the increasing volume of “false rape accusations” is simply an attempt to silence or delegitimize the experiences of actual rape victims.
According to Naledi Mashishi, a researcher with Africa Check, a non-profit fact-checking organization that promotes accuracy in public debate and the media, the “False Rape Accusation” voices are clear attempts to delegitimize actual rape victims. She tweeted “Is it me or has the ‘what about false rape accusations’ brigade become even more vicious recently? There seems to be an effort to try delegitimize all rape allegations and silence rape victims from speaking out at all.” She tweeted on her handle @NalediMashishi.
Dedoyin Ajayi, a psychotherapist, disagreed vehemently. She noted in a tweet from her handle (@dedoyinajayi) that the psychological effects of false rape accusations on victims can be devastating. Sharing her experience with a man who was allegedly wrongly accused of rape, she said “His reputation was damaged, lost his job and the lady eventually came back to apologize. The anguish in his voice was unmistakable.”
She went further to say false rape accusations can “induce high blood pressure, insomnia, nightmares, job loss, eating disorders, loneliness, and depression. Some of these guys actually become suicidal…”
This position is also reinforced by Stanley Ezinna, a food safety specialist, who tweeted on his handle (@Stazingar) that false rape accusation “has the side effect of inducing skepticism” because it often “causes genuine accusations to be taken less seriously.” He said further that those engaging in falsely accusing people of rape are “actually harming the true victims of rape.”
On the experiences of Dr. Ogunsanya, a prominent Twitter influencer, who was recently cleared of rape allegations, THE QUEST TIMES reached out to a close friend of his as Dr. Ogunsanya has taken a break from social media and wouldn’t like to speak about the issue. His friend hasn’t gotten back as of the time of filing this report. But in his friend’s recent tweet on his verified handle (@FirstDoctor), he claimed Aseyan’s allegations have “almost ruined my friend’s life. Pure wickedness.”
Also, according to Dr. Ogunsanya’s lawyer, Barrister Inibehe Effiong, his vindication by the court is “a victory for all victims of false accusations of sexual misconduct.”
Critics of the current approach argue that the #MeToo movement and increased social awareness of sexual assault issues have inadvertently contributed to a climate in which mere accusations can tarnish reputations and destroy lives, often before a thorough investigation can take place. They advocate for a balanced viewpoint that protects the rights of both accusers and accused.
Prominent activists and legal experts emphasize the importance of assisting victims while maintaining a fair and impartial process for determining guilt or innocence. They believe that providing adequate resources and support for survivors is critical, but that it should not come at the expense of denying individuals their right to a presumption of innocence and due process.
Professor Oyenike Fayomi, Director of Research, Innovation, and Development at Nigerian Army University and a gender activist, spoke exclusively to THE QUEST TIMES. Those who make false accusations, according to her, may be suffering from “severe psychosis.” She stated, “Many of these false accusers have personality disorders that compel them to make fictitious assault claims.”
She urged those who may have been falsely accused of rape to seek legal assistance “as quickly as possible”.
Speaking of legal aid, human rights activist Barrister Moses Ade-Ojo told THE QUEST TIMES that “social media judges” were always going “overboard with anything unproven.” He stated that while rape is a punishable offence under Nigerian law, character assassinations accompanied by false rape allegations can result in a jail term of up to two years “depending on the extent of the damage wrecked on the falsely-accused.”
Among the growing concerns, voices on social media seem to be growing louder about the need to address the issues surrounding false rape accusations. Several commentators have called for improved investigation protocols, anonymity protection for accused individuals until charges are proven, and enhanced training for law enforcement personnel handling sexual assault cases as potential measures to protect the rights of all parties involved.
Barrister Ade-Ojo, in his submission to THE QUEST TIMES said “Publication of rape accusations should be reviewed because of its effects while justice should be obtained appropriately.”
More people are calling for a review of the laws to make false rape accusers face the same jail time as actual rapists. In response to the acquittal of ex-Manchester City player Mendy of rape, veteran Nollywood actress Uche Jombo sparked controversy by saying that false rape accusers should face the same punishment as rapists. She tweeted via her verified handle, “False rape accusations should attract same jail term as rape.”
As the voices of ‘false rape accusations’ grow louder, society faces a watershed moment in shaping the future of dealing with sexual assault allegations responsibly.